HTC debuts limited edition Gold HTC One for awards show, but you can get a similar phone for $2,500

The smartphone gold rush in recent weeks has spread to HTC, which has announced a special edition version of the HTC One that is so limited only five people will be able to say that they own the 18-carat gold Android phone. The Gold HTC One was commissioned for the British MOBO Awards set to take place October 19 in Glasglow. One of the phones will be presented to the winner of the Best Newcomer category. Sadly, that leaves the rest of us lacking musical talent on the outside looking in, but HTC says it plans to hold a contest to make the limited edition phone available to the general public.

HTC values the Gold HTC One at £2,750 (US $4,430), making it nearly six times as expensive as the retail price for a standard HTC One in silver. The gold-plated phone was created in collaboration with Goldgenie, which specializes in creating gaudy luxury versions of popular devices. If a gold HTC One tickles your fancy, Goldgenie sells a less prestigious 24-carat embellishment version for $2,500. Goldgenie sells the special HTC One in gold, rose gold, and platinum.